Frontier

This place is a local favorite. I can tell because people of all ages were lined up on a Sunday afternoon. When I entered the restaurant, I was overwhelmed by the long line. But it actually went by quickly! There was a sign on the ceiling that said the wait time at that point was only seven minutes. They had menus available, so I highly recommend knowing what you want to order before you get to the counter.

Food - a popular item is the breakfast plate, but we opted to try the breakfast burrito and green chile cheeseburger. It would be a crime not to try their version of a cinnamon roll! I saw people buying packs of it to take home. The breakfast burrito was great but too many hash browns for my liking. The cheeseburger was great also - you can definitely taste the spicy kick. The sweet roll was not as sweet as I expected. What I thought was sugar glaze on top was actually BUTTER! It was saltier than I wanted. I can see why almost everyone gets an order of it though.

Parking - they have a lot behind the restaurant that is free for 45 minutes. There is also a shared lot across the street that is free for 45 minutes. There was plenty of parking in both lots despite the long line and the amount of patrons dining inside.

After you order and pay, you can wait by the pick-up window until they call your number. Hopefully by the time you get your food you can find an open table. They have like three to four dining rooms. The fountain soda machines and condiments are near the lines in the main room. You also need to pick up your own utensils and napkins here. The bathrooms are in the second dining room.

I know this place is supposed to be an abq staple, but I honestly... don't see the hype.

I also got takeout, so maybe that was the problem? Chicken nachos were soft and bland, hash browns weren't even fried, just regular ol' potato, and the cinnamon roll was great, but def not house-made, prob microwaved.

Apple cider was good tho.

Frontier Development

Frontier is one of those venerable New Mexico institutions that's been in business for over fifty years (1971) and operates like such a fine Swiss clock as the processes have been ironed out to a T over the years. It's amazing the amount of food they can crank out and in such a timely manner, to boot.

Located across from the University of New Mexico, they've probably been making sure everyone can afford to eat for quite some time, as their prices are insanely cheap for the amount of food one gets.

Now, I'm not saying it's the best quality food, but it tastes damn good, hits the spot, and is easy on the wallet. The only real issue was navigating that abort¡on of a parking lot in the back that reminds me of where Thomas and Martha Wayne met their untimely end, but I digress.

Conclusion: Tasty, fast, and easy on the wallet. I wouldn't consider it a "must-stop" location, but I will say it's definitely a good spot for people watching and getting a good taste of ABQ.

There's plenty of parking but it's like a maze as is the interior of the restaurant. Find our way to the order counter and hang on to your receipt as it has our number. The last three digits will be displayed on the screens that are located all around.
My green chili cheeseburger, onion rings and fries were delicious. I'm anxious to go back and try something else; I heard their tortillas are excellent.

Always amazing food is always great the place is open late big menu many choices frontier burrito is da best

I visited Frontier for the first time this weekend and instantly fell in love! This charming restaurant has been an Abq institution for over 60 years located right across from the UNM campus near downtown. Frontier is a casual, order at the counter establishment with greasy spoon diner and Western vibes. It may be a bit dated and worn, but aren't we all? Some of the pretentious types may turn their nose up at these types of places, but I found Frontier to be clean (especially for the volume of people visiting during the noon hour on a weekend), homey, and full of character! I was in love with the art work on the walls of the massive dining area! Literally is an art gallery as well as a restaurant!

The line to order was to the entrance door, but moved quickly- around 5 minutes. The cashier was courteous, exact, and efficient. The ordering system was tried and true- very efficient.

The menu is affordable... I'm talking 1999 price index. Not incredibly hungry, we both ordered the bean and cheese burrito (expecting a TBell like version) ($2.45/ea) and shared a side order of fries ($2.10). Btw, don't judge my diet- it was the holidays. The burrito used a full size, fresh homemade tortilla. Loved all of it! Compared to TBell version- it was much bigger, fresher or more natural looking beans, and better tortilla, but I missed onions in the burrito like at TBell. I would try smothering the burrito in their red or green chile next time. The fries were so fresh and crispy! A solid side! Next time, I also want to try their famous sweet roll (cinnamon roll)!

Olde tyme... fun fast ... a step back in time with real food. Glad we went.
In town ? Ya gotta go. Save the $ on breakfast here for great eats around town

I was told I needed to eat here as it is a "Rite of Passage" upon moving to ABQ. The menu is lengthy and the prices pretty low. On a late weekend night you can catch a lot of UNM students here.

It's a diner atmosphere, but it doesn't look like the diners I'm used to back home (NJ).

Anyway, I could see how this is part of the ABQ culture. If you're new here or recently moved here, then you have to get the Frontier experience.

Hands down the best breakfast burrito and cinnamon roll ever. Awesome place in the university area, gives you a feel of where the locals go. If I'm ever in Albuquerque again I know where I'm going!

This is the best $10 meal I've had in the last three years. It's a casual join where you wait in line 10-20 minutes and place your order up front and then search for a spot to eat.

I got the Mexican combo but in the future I'd just get the enchilada meal with rice and beans. We stopped for breakfast straight from the airport, and it was one of my favorite meals in town.